L.M. Montgomery Institute enters into MOU with Parks Canada

Dr. Philip Smith, Chair of the LMMI, and Karen Jans, Field Unit Superintendent, Parks Canada, look on as Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, signs the MOU

The University of Prince Edward Island recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the working relationship between the L.M. Montgomery Institute and Parks Canada.

The agreement will provide opportunities for the two organizations to identify and partner on common goals such as heritage resources conservation, public understanding and appreciation, visitor experience, and increasing Canadians’ connection with Parks Canada Places. In particular, the LMMI and Parks Canada will look at projects related to Green Gables Heritage Place and the life and stories of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor; Karen Jans, Field Unit Superintendent, PEI, for Parks Canada; and Dr. Philip Smith, Chair of the LMMI.

“We are very pleased to enhance our already strong relationship with Parks Canada by signing this MOU for the L.M. Montgomery Institute,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Parks Canada and the LMMI both have tremendous reputations when it comes to promoting our Island literary treasure, Lucy Maud Montgomery. This collaboration will lead to increased public engagement with Montgomery’s work.”

Dr. Philip Smith, chair of the LMMI said, “While we’ve always had positive conversations with Parks Canada over the years about L.M. Montgomery’s legacy, this agreement provides a formal framework for our discussions. It is a great opportunity to advance new ways of learning about Montgomery's influence at home on the Island, across Canada, and around the world.”

The L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island was launched 25 years ago with the goal of promoting research into, and celebrating, the life, works, culture, and influence of Prince Edward Island-born L.M. Montgomery, one of Canada’s most famous authors. During her lifetime (1874–1942), Montgomery wrote over 20 novels, numerous poems and short stories, and 10 volumes of personal journals. She is most famous for her first novel, Anne of Green Gables, with its iconic character, Anne Shirley, whose life in fictional Avonlea continues to delight millions of readers around the world. Housed in the University’s Robertson Library, the Institute has developed a strong scholarship base and its own collection of Montgomery-related artefacts, sponsored courses on Canadian culture, published essay collections based on its biennial conferences, and developed multi-media products to further scholarly discussion of the author’s work.